The Rams Are Kings, and Three Teams Are Already Cooked
It’s June, the World Cup is somehow already happening, and yet here at NFL in London, Wade and Ryan can’t stop talking football. On the latest episode of the podcast, the duo sat down to dish out their way too early 2026 NFL power rankings — plus reactions to two of the biggest trades of the offseason. If you haven’t listened yet, here’s everything you need to know.
The Trade That Shook the NFL: Myles Garrett Goes to LA
The elephant in the room — or rather, the pass rusher — is Myles Garrett’s blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Rams. Wade and Ryan both admitted the move shocked them initially, though on reflection it makes a terrifying amount of sense.
In return, Cleveland received Jared Verse and a package of draft picks — compensation Ryan felt was fair, likening it to a much more balanced deal than, say, the Luka Dončić trade. “Cleveland’s doing a really good job at rebuilding the mess they got themselves into,” he said, pointing out that once Deshaun Watson comes off the books, the Browns will have up to four first-round picks heading into a QB-heavy draft.
For the Rams, it’s yet another “F them picks” move from a front office that has built a dynasty by prioritising now over later. They already had one of the best offenses in the league — Matt Stafford, Puka Nakua, and a Sean McVay system that refuses to fall apart — and now they’ve added arguably the best defensive player in the NFL. Wade was blunt: “Anyone in that division now has to get nervous. Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray — you’ve got a pass rush to worry about.”
And it might not stop there. There’s chilling talk of Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to join Garrett in LA. Ryan wasn’t dismissing it: “I have no doubt Aaron Donald has just been waiting for this. He retired at the dominant peak of his career.” If that happens, the NFC West becomes essentially unplayable for everyone else.
AJ Brown Heads to New England
The other big story discussed was AJ Brown’s trade to the New England Patriots. With Stefon Diggs already in Foxborough, Brown gives Drake May — who finished second in MVP voting last season — another dangerous weapon on the outside.
Ryan’s take was measured. Brown is a quality receiver, but he’s turning 29 and big, tall wideouts don’t age as gracefully as smaller, shiftier ones. “I think anyone who watched the Super Bowl didn’t think the Patriots lost because of their wide receivers,” he noted. The trade cost a first-round pick, and if Drake May ever goes down, that could end up being a top-five selection. Still, the move was necessary — and it gives New England a legitimate receiving corps heading into a much harder schedule than the one that carried them last year.
On the flip side, Philadelphia appears content to move on, while Miami continues to strip the roster down to its frame. Drake London signed a massive four-year, $141 million extension in Atlanta, signalling the Falcons are building around their young core — though they’ll need to somehow pay Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts too.
Oh, and Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden. The Bears curse lives on — or does it? As Ryan pointed out, Josh Allen won his MVP on a Madden cover, so maybe the hex is losing its power.
The Bottom 3: Teams Already in Trouble
Before the top ten, Wade and Ryan agreed on which three franchises are heading into 2026 in the worst shape.
32. Miami Dolphins
Wade’s pick for the very worst team in the league. Miami has sold off nearly everything and everyone. “They’ve gotten rid of everything,” Wade said. “I don’t really see them having anything.” With Tyreek Hill potentially on the move and the roster gutted, the Dolphins are a rebuild in the most uncomfortable sense of the word.
31. Arizona Cardinals
Ryan’s choice for dead last, and Wade had them at 31. With Jacoby Brissett seemingly uncontactable in the offseason, Marvin Harrison Jr. coming back from injury with no guarantees, and a division that includes the Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks, Arizona are going to collect losses. “That’s three guaranteed Ls right there,” Ryan said. “It’s just a gauntlet.”
30. New York Jets
The Jets. Always the Jets. Both hosts had them in the bottom three, with a general consensus that no matter what New York does, they tend to trip over themselves late in the season when it matters most. Geno Smith and a tough schedule make for a miserable combination.
Way Too Early Top 10 NFL Power Rankings 2026
Here’s how Wade and Ryan each ranked the top ten teams heading into the 2026 NFL season. Where they diverged, both picks are noted.
10. Kansas City Chiefs (Ryan) / New England Patriots (Wade)
Ryan won’t fully disrespect the Chiefs — Mahomes had surgery almost immediately after his injury, which he read as a good sign for an early return. With Kenneth Walker now in the backfield to take some of the rushing burden off Mahomes’ legs, KC could still be dangerous. Wade, meanwhile, has the Super Bowl-runner-up Patriots at ten. He thinks last year’s easy schedule flattered them and that a brutal AFC slate will expose some weaknesses.
9. Dallas Cowboys (Ryan) / Detroit Lions (Wade)
Ryan loves what the Cowboys did on offense — Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and a defense that improved dramatically late in the season. Wade, meanwhile, has Detroit at nine. The Lions had a humbling 2025, but a slightly easier schedule and genuine offensive firepower — Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, a terrifying offensive line — keep them in the conversation.
8. Green Bay Packers (Ryan) / Kansas City Chiefs (Wade)
Ryan thinks the Packers were robbed last year by injuries — losing their tight end, losing Micah, bleeding personnel all season long. With Jordan Love healthy and a reset year, he sees them bouncing back and potentially benefiting from a Chicago fallback. Wade has KC at eight, believing Mahomes bounces back and the addition of a running game stabilises things.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (Ryan) / Chicago Bears (Wade)
Ryan is a Chargers believer. Mike McDaniel plus Justin Herbert is a pairing that excites him — Herbert working on getting the ball out quicker, Lad McConkey emerging, and a defense that was impressive under Minter last year. Wade, meanwhile, has the Bears at seven. As a Bears fan he’ll admit some bias, but he sees Caleb Williams maturing, Ben Johnson entering year two, and a roster that’s been quietly improved.
6. San Francisco 49ers (Ryan) / Los Angeles Chargers (Wade)
Ryan puts the Niners at six — Mike Evans stretches the field, Nick Bosa returns, Fred Warner is back, and Kyle Shanahan has something to prove after watching Seattle win the Super Bowl and McVay land Garrett. “I just think they’re really good when everything’s together,” he said. “The power plant might get them all injured again though.” Wade agrees on the Chargers at six for the same reasons.
5. Detroit Lions (Ryan) / Baltimore Ravens (Wade)
Ryan has the Lions at five — the offense is too loaded to ignore, even if he doesn’t love Jared Goff or Dan Campbell’s game management. Gibbs alone is worth the price of admission. Wade goes Ravens at five, calling this a make-or-break year for Lamar Jackson and Baltimore. New coach, new energy, Derrick Henry still in the backfield, and Trey Hendrickson on defence — but if they don’t convert this year, questions about the dynasty’s lifespan will get very loud.
4. Cincinnati Bengals (Ryan) / Seattle Seahawks (Wade)
Ryan thinks this is the Bengals’ year. They’ve spent on defence, they’ve protected Joe Burrow, and with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the outside, they’re ready to make a run. “They’re sick of Baltimore, sick of Pittsburgh,” he said. “It’s their turn.” Wade puts the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks at four — he respects what they built, but thinks teams now know how to gameplan against them and their division is ferocious.
3. Buffalo Bills (Ryan) / San Francisco 49ers (Wade)
Ryan can’t quite put Buffalo above the defending champs, but he’s excited. Firing Sean McDermott was the best decision of the offseason — for the first time in years, opponents won’t know what to expect from Buffalo’s defence. Josh Allen with DJ Moore added to the weapons, and Jim Leonard as defensive coordinator to finally get them over the hump. Wade has the Niners at three — Evans, a healthy Bosa, and a motivated Shanahan give them the edge over Seattle.
2. Seattle Seahawks (Ryan) / Buffalo Bills (Wade)
Ryan gives the defending champs their flowers at two — Sam Darnold proved himself, the defence is elite, and this is a team that competes with anyone. Wade has Buffalo at two, energised by the new Highmark Stadium, the DJ Moore addition, and a franchise that feels primed and hungry.
1. Los Angeles Rams — Both Hosts Agree
No debate here. The LA Rams are the unanimous number one team in both hosts’ way too early power rankings. Matt Stafford on a two-year extension playing like a man who wants one more ring. Puka Nakua. A GM who will make more moves in-season. Sean McVay. And now Myles Garrett. Ryan put it perfectly: “That offense is just sick, and now you’ve just gone and got the best player in the NFL.” Wade added: “They’ve got everything — the coaching, the quarterback, the pass rush. LA Rams, number one.”
The only caveat? Wearing the crown is different from chasing it. Every team in the NFL will have the Rams circled on their calendar. The heavy is the head.
Final Thoughts
It’s way too early — both hosts said so themselves — but the early picture looks like a Rams-led NFC going up against a Bills-headlined AFC, with the defending Seahawks as wild card disruptors. Somewhere in Cleveland, a rebuild is quietly taking shape. And in Miami, it’s a very long offseason indeed.
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